BBC bosses have said the launch of Strictly Come Dancing will not clash with The X Factor – as Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer became the first celebrity to sign up for the latest series.

Strictly Come Dancing will not clash with The X Factor when it returns to screens on September 15 (Picture: BBC)

The first show of the series, which is due to air on Saturday September 15 ahead of the start of the live shows on October 5, will be screened at 6.30pm – ending a full 35 minutes before The X Factor begins.

The decision comes after the two shows clashed in previous years, with 2011’s opening show last October overlapping with The X Factor by 35 minutes – and subsequent shows also clashing, prompting complaints from fans of both.

‘This is great news for fans who will now be able to watch both shows live,’ an insider told The Sun.

The X Factor will, however, face a clash with the third episode of Doctor Who series seven, which will be shown after Strictly at 7.35pm and end at 8.20pm – 10 minutes after the ITV1 show is scheduled to begin.

Dani Harmer (left) appeared on Let’s Dance For Sport Relief this year (Picture: BBC)

A similar overlap is set for this weekend’s episode, Dinosaurs On A Spaceship.

It has not been confirmed whether the whole of the forthcoming Strictly series will avoid clashing with The X Factor.

The 2011 series of Strictly, which was won by McFly’s Harry Judd , was one of the most popular yet, even beating The X Factor in the ratings on several occasions.

Meanwhile, actress Dani has become the first celebrity to be confirmed for the Strictly line-up, amid speculation over other star participants.

The 23-year-old, best known for playing the title role in CBBC show Tracy Beaker, was confirmed for the line-up following the cancellation of musical tour Disco Inferno, in which she was due to appear.

However despite claims that Harmer pulled out of the show to take part in Strictly, a BBC spokesman said she signed up after the cancellation of the tour.

The actress, who reached the final of Let’s Dance For Sport Relief earlier this year, hinted at her involvement on Twitter, saying: ‘Can’t wait to tell you all what I’m doing next! So excited.’